Women and Alzheimer’s Disease

The Alzheimer’s Association recently released their 2014 Facts and Figures report. Among other areas, the report focuses on the differences between women and men in regards to the burden of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Women have a higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s and are also more likely to bear the consequences associated with caregiving.

Women are much more likely to get Alzheimer’s versus men. At age 65 years, men have a 1 in 11 risk of Alzheimer’s disease development. This is attributed to the fact women, on average, live longer than men. Older age is the greater risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

Facts and Figures also explored the bigger toll AD has on women. This extends not only to women who have AD but also in relation to women who are caregivers or have a relative or friend with AD. Women are 2.5 times more likely to be the provider of 24 hour a day “on-duty’ care when a loved one or friend is in the late stages of AD. This constitutes a massive burden- almost 60% of people in a survey cited in the Alzheimer’s Association’s findings reported feeling very high or high emotional stress from caregiving. Fifty four percent also had to take time off work to be able to perform their care giving duties. The report also states “while caregiving, 20% of women vs 3% of men went from full-time to part-time employment; 18% of women vs 11% of men took a leave of absence.”

Hormone Solutions is currently involved in two clinical trials investigating the link between Alzheimer’s disease and testosterone supplementation. Read more about our studies here.

Study one: A 52 week, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy of testosterone, with and without DHA supplementation in men with Subjective Memory Complaints as a strategy to prevent the development of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Study two: The Role of Testosterone on Aß Deposition of Alzheimer’s disease

For more information on testosterone products available through Hormone Solutions, please click on: